Which scenario exemplifies negligence?

Negligence is defined as a failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances, resulting in harm to another person. The scenario in which a driver fails to stop at a red light is a clear illustration of negligence. This act demonstrates a breach of the duty of care owed to others on the road. By not adhering to traffic signals, the driver puts others at risk of injury or accident, which encapsulates the essence of negligence—acting in a manner that falls short of what is expected to prevent harm.

In contrast, the other scenarios do not exemplify negligence in the same way. Intentionally hitting another person reflects an intentional act, not negligence, as it involves a deliberate choice to cause harm. The decision of a business to close early is generally a business decision that does not involve a breach of care that would result in direct harm to another party. Similarly, a tenant's failure to pay rent is a contractual issue and does not pertain to the duty of care in a way that would classify it as negligence. This context helps in understanding why the scenario involving the driver is the best representation of negligence.